Letha Clara Kendall of Lewiston died Sunday afternoon, July 13, 2003, at LifeCare Center of Lewiston. She was 95.
Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home in Lewiston. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m.
Friday at Valley Christian Center, 3215 Echo Hills Drive, Lewiston. Letha's oldest son, Dennis Kendall, will officiate. A private family graveside service will be held at Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston.
The family requests remembrances in lieu of flowers be sent to Latin American Child Care Missions, 1445 Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802.
Letha was born June 29, 1908, to Clarence and Ellen Gipson in Burton, Neb. She was the ninth of 14 children. A documentary on the history of Keya Paha County reports the Gipson family in detail. They are described as being a happy, God-fearing family. At the time of Letha's birth, the family lived on Spring Creek near Burton. In the summer the children played in the thick shade on its banks. In winter they enjoyed sledding and building tunnels and rooms in the drifted snow after it had hardened. Good remembrances included her mother's fresh doughnuts and her tucking them into bed on cold nights with heavy quilts and bricks warmed in the oven.
Letha married Guy P. Kendall Oct. 24, 1927, in Burke, S.D. After marriage, Letha worked side-by-side with her husband supporting his endeavors. He worked as a farm hand, and she cooked for the hands. Later they operated Interstate Chimney Repair Service throughout the Northwest. Guy often traveled away from home, leaving Letha with the family responsibilities. In 1933 Guy began preaching and was ordained as a minister for the Assemblies of God in 1949.
Letha was his faithful partner both pastoring and evangelizing. She seemed particularly adept in this role. She was always ready to lend a helping hand, comfort or give good advice. Not only did the ministry bring her joy, but also hardships. As the years passed she often had to leave her school-aged children in the care of others when she and Guy traveled.
Letha was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years.
Survivors include Letha's five children, Dennis Kendall and wife Alice of Alamogordo, N.M., Eris Hamilton and husband David of Lewiston Orchards, Karin Shoop and husband Duane of Tekoa, Wash., Richard Kendall and wife Bonnie of Port Angeles, and Kenneth Kendall of Salt Lake City; 19 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren and some who have been adopted officially and unofficially through the years; three siblings, Velma Kuhn of Cheyenne, Wyo., Wayne Gipson and wife Bonnie of Omaha, Neb., and Romad Conrad of Ainsworth, Neb.
Letha was honored as the oldest mother in attendance at Valley Christian Center on Mother's Day. She looked back on a dedicated life. She enjoyed her children and grandchildren, and loved homemaking and gardening. She loved God and the work she did in the church. Her life is summed up somewhat in a wall hanging given to her by one of her children. It states, "A mother's heart is a garden of love." She will be missed.